Paterson calls session through July 6

Gov. David Paterson has elevated the Senate stalemate from a “conflict” to a “crisis.”

The governor didn’t make much news today in his Red Room press conference, except to say that he has issued proclamations for special session every day at 3 p.m. through July 6 — which means that the Senate will be in Albany through the holiday weekend.

Paterson also called on Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, a Democrat, to withhold the pay of senators’ salaries. So far, DiNapoli has declined to take that step.

When asked about the bills that Senate Democrats “voted” on in yesterday’s “session” (made possible by Republican Sen. Frank Padavan’s walkthru of the Senate chamber, which Democrats claim made quorum), Paterson reiterated that he did not intend to sign the bills.

However, if the bills reach his desk, they will become law unless Paterson affirmatively vetoes them. The governor would not say if he would veto the bills if they came to his desk.

Paterson spokesman Peter Kauffmann said the governor’s office did not expect the Assembly to send the bills up.

The Assembly technically has 45 days after they receive bills from the Senate to send them up to the governor’s office, however, that rule is broken all the time, according to one veteran reporter.